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Caraval (Caraval, #1)

Stephanie Garber

Start date: May 1, 2017

Finish date: May 31, 2017

Discussion: Read

Why we're reading this: It won the BOTM Poll.
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What Members Thought

May 02, 2017 Suzzie rated it really liked it

This was a magical and intriguing read. I am not the biggest fan of magical realism but I really did like this book. Those who love the genre will eat it up rather quickly. I am very much looking forward to the sequel.

21 likes · Like · see review

Apr 22, 2017 Cynthia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own

This book went so fast! You feel like you are really a part of the Caraval Game! I look forward to the next book, and I hope it is out very soon!!!!

3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 23, 2020 Thida rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, fantasy

I DNF at 70%. A part of me wants to complete it but I've already read the ending and I didn't like it that much so I don't want to waste my time anymore. ...more

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Sep 09, 2018 Jennifer Rodriguez rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Little miss Scarlett has been sending letters to Legend every year for 7 years begging him to come to Trisda so her sister and her can see the perfomance. Scarlett and Tella are the daughters of the Govenor of the island who is a controlling and abusive ass (excuse my french). You learn that their mother left them when they were young and their father began sheltering them and abusing them ever since. Their grandmother use to tell them tales of Caraval and Legends performances. Now I must ad Little miss Scarlett has been sending letters to Legend every year for 7 years begging him to come to Trisda so her sister and her can see the perfomance. Scarlett and Tella are the daughters of the Govenor of the island who is a controlling and abusive ass (excuse my french). You learn that their mother left them when they were young and their father began sheltering them and abusing them ever since. Their grandmother use to tell them tales of Caraval and Legends performances. Now I must admit that I did not think for once that the grandmother would turn out to be the woman who broke Legends heart. I actually loved that link that brought Legend and the Sisters together, because why else would Legend help them. Anyway the Tella and Julian end up tricking Scarlett, kidnapping her and taking her to Caraval. Scarlett is to be married to the Count and did not want to risk her father being angry with them and doing something terrible to either her or her sister.

Tella ends up getting taken by Legend and becomes part of the game this year. Whoever finds Tella first gets one wish! I knew this was all and elaborate plot for Scarlett, but I must admit that as the story progressed and you find out that the grandmother was the one to break Legends heart, I truly thought he was just seeking revenge on her granddaughters. Stephanie did a great job and hiding the true reason for the game. Julian ended up being another surprise to me. Legend's Brother!!! I would have never thought. Once Scarlett finds out that Julian was apart of the game to begin with, she is upset and thinks that his feelings for her were also a lie. This part kinda pissed me off. Authors do that a lot were they make a character believe that because their partner deceived them (for good reason) that their true feelings for them must also be a lie (urghhh).

Now when you find out at the end that Tella was behind the whole thing and also had sent Legend a letter, I must say I was mind blown. Stephanie had me truly believe that Tella was to immature and wild to come up with something this elaborate. The one who truly wanted to help her sister and rid themselves of their father once and for all. When she jumped out the window and died i literally cried. I truly thought that she had killed herself to save her sister. I wanted to yell at the author through the book! This book had me at the edge of my seat but I also fell in love with the love story unraveling between Julian and Scarlett and was happy to see that Legend wasn't as bad as they said. One thing I will say is that I knew that Legend was not going to show his true self to any of them. You didn't get me on that one Stephanie Garber! I would absolutely rate this book 5 huge stars! ...more

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Feb 17, 2019 Selene rated it liked it

I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand it was full of magic and mystery, and on the other it was bland and tiresome. I love books that weave complicated patterns, where red herrings are left to fool you and where the story is deep and intriguing. This didn’t cut it for me. It was too easy, all ends were tied up with no worries and I was never shocked or amazed by anything. It was okay, but not mind blowing.

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Oct 02, 2021 Yaneth rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 09, 2019 Madge rated it it was ok

Shelves: books-i-wish-i-never-read, fantasy, young-adult, one-and-a-half-stars

I went into this thinking my expectations were as low as they can go (because I've seen people either absolutely love it, or absolutely hate it), and I was still disappointed. I didn't hate it, but I really didn't like a lot about it. I need a drink. I might write an actual review for this one soon, but it will definitely be spoiler-y because I have a lot of thoughts. I just need to try to arrange them in a way that makes sense to other people. ...more

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Jan 16, 2018 kathy rated it liked it

Shelves: gcac-2018

Scarlett and Donatella (Tella) are sisters who end up in Caraval for very different reasons. Scarlett is kidnapped by her sister and taken to the isle where Caraval's mysteries unfold. As soon as she arrives she becomes aware that Tella has been kidnapped by Legend, the master of Caraval. It is up to Scarlett to find her before the end of Caraval or Tella will die. ...more

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Nov 25, 2019 Audrey rated it really liked it

Not bad. Some parts were a bit too repetitive but overall it was ok for me.

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Jan 10, 2020 Amy Sutton rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, library, 2020

3.5 stars. I inhaled this novel, loved the drama, and just wanted to figure it all out! That being said, the writing at times was a bit confusing and bland. Not horrible, just a side effect of being an adult reading YA I think. I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the series. ...more

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May 10, 2017 Rosemary May rated it liked it

Just meh. I was sucked in because of the comparisons to The Night Circus. No comparison. This wasn't very well written or edited, lots of weird repetition and odd descriptions. ...more

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